Monday in Holy Week

The Gospel writer John begins his account of the events of Holy Week with a not-so-subtle warning. We are told that people were coming to Jerusalem not just to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, who Jesus had raised from the dead. We were told in the previous chapter that the Pharisees and chief priests were already plotting Jesus’ death but now, seeing that many people were believing in Jesus because of Lazarus, the chief priests decided that Lazarus must die also. This is shocking on many levels.

Many people were present at the raising of Lazarus who could confirm the miracle. The fact that someone who was dead had come back to life at Jesus’ command was undeniable. Yet, the chief priests refused to be swayed by facts. They were so resistant to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah that they would rather commit murder than change their minds.

Lazarus had committed no crime, but he was seen as a threat simply because he was a living witness to the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This plot against Lazarus is a reminder to those who would follow Jesus that there is a cost to discipleship. We do not merely observe Jesus carrying His cross, but we pick up our own and follow. As we enter into Holy Week, let us be ever mindful that, as people who have been given new life by Jesus, we are to live each day as living witnesses to the death and resurrection of our Lord. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, in our Baptisms You welcomed us into Your family and gave us new life. We pray that You would shine the light of Your love into our lives so brightly that, like Lazarus, we would become living witnesses to Your saving grace. Give us the courage to follow You wherever You may lead, and the faith to know that even death cannot separate us from Your love. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ, our Savior, Lord, and God. Amen.

Devotion written by the Rev. David F. Keener